Dated “Medical Director’s Office/ Head Quarters, Department of the Susquehanna, Chambersburg, August 3, 1863.” 1 pp., 9.75 x 7.75”, with pre-printed letterhead, handwritten in ink. Exhibits fold marks, tiny spots of ink smudge on the reverse. Else VG plus, sharp and entirely legible. Text:

“Special Order No. 53/ By Direction of the Surgeon General, Dr. Whittingham U.S.A. is hereby relieved from duty at Gettysburg, PA., and will report in person, without delay to the Surgeon, Washington City, D.C. / W.S. King/ Surg. Med. Director/ Dept. Susquehanna / Through Surgeon Janes / U.S. Vols / In charge of Hospitals/ Gettysburg, PA.” ///Reverse endorsement: “ Med Directors Office / Chambersburg PA/ Aug 3^rd 1863 / W.S. King Surg. / Med. Director / Relieving Dr. / Whittingham U.S.A. from Duty at Gettysburg PA”.

The service records of the three surgeons cited summarize as follows: New York native Edward Thomas Whittington was commissioned into U.S. Army Medical staff 4/6/1862, and resigned 11/12/1863; William Shakespeare King was commissioned into U.S. Army Medical Staff on 8/29/1856, received brevet promotions to Lt. Col. and Colonel [1865], and retired in 1882; Henry Janes was commissioned into 3^rd Vermont Infy. Field and staff in 1861, and then into US Volunteers Medical Staff, 3/26/ 1863, and was mustered out 1/4/1866. As head of services at the Union Army hospital immediately after the Battle of Gettysburg, Dr. Janes faced the challenge of caring for 20,000 wounded Union and Confederate men.

Invites further research.

Superb Gettysburg medical collectible. Brief amount of research material included.

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